Detroit @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 9, 2014 ) Miami 16, Detroit 20

Golden Tate took issue with Albert Wilson's claim that he's the league's best receiver in terms of gaining yards after the catch, saying that six games is not a big enough sample size. The two wide receivers aim to settle it on the field on Sunday as Tate and the Detroit Lions attempt to prevent the Miami Dolphins from jumping out to their first 4-0 start at home since 2000.

Wilson's initial claim came on the heels of a six-catch, career-high 155-yard, two-touchdown performance as Miami snapped a two-game skid with a 31-28 overtime win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The 26-year-old captured AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts and even received some praise from Tate, who then countered that Wilson has 147 career catches while he has recorded at least 90 in each of the last four seasons with Detroit. Matthew Stafford has been on the other end of those throws, and the former top overall pick has thrown for nine touchdowns against one interception in his last four games leading into the team's bye. Stafford might find the going a bit tough versus an opportunistic Dolphins defense that has an NFL-best 11 interceptions, led by Xavien Howard (three).

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Lions -3. O/U: 46.5

ABOUT THE LIONS (2-3): Tate, Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. comprise one of the most productive receiving corps in the league, as Detroit boasts two wideouts in the top 10 in yards (Golladay, Tate), the top 20 in yards per catch (Golladay, Jones) and the top 15 in yards after catch (Tate, Golladay). "I think talent, depth, look at the stats that we're putting up," Tate said. "We're a good group. Honestly, I think it starts with our run game. Our run game has been better and it's opening up for us." Kerryon Johnson could take credit for that with 251 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in his last three games, and the rookie could be in for a bigger role against Miami with fellow running back Theo Riddick sitting out practice on Thursday due to a knee injury.

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (4-2): After being named the surprise starter 90 minutes before game time last week, Brock Osweiler officially got the nod to face the Lions on Wednesday after he stepped up and threw for a career-high 380 pass yards with three touchdowns against the Bears. "It's something that I've been wanting for a lot of years," the 27-year-old Osweiler told the Sun-Sentinel said. "I believe in coach Gase, his system, and who he is as a person and a coach. And I saw that firsthand for a lot of years in Denver, and I saw what it's like to be able to play for a coach like that." Osweiler would be wise to lean on his running game, with the ageless Frank Gore rolling up 101 yards last week and averaging 4.9 yards per carry this season heading into a meeting with Detroit's 30th-ranked rush defense that is hemorrhaging 145.8 yards per contest.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Miami LB Kiko Alonso ranks second in the NFL with 61 tackles, with 11 coming last week to go along with a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

2. Detroit G T.J. Lang is trending toward returning on Sunday after being sidelined since last month with a concussion.

3. Dolphins RB Kenyan Drake rushed 13 times for 57 yards last week after carrying the ball 14 times for 52 yards in the previous three games combined.

PREDICTION: Lions 24, Dolphins 19